Enhancing Mental Health Among Adolescents

The Counselling Cell of M.E.S College of Arts & Commerce, Zuarinagar organized an interactive session for the students of the college on 27th August 2018 on the following topic ‘Enhancing Mental Health among Adolescents’. Dr. Ravi Agrawal and Mr. Samir Walavalkar, who are working actively in the field of mental health were the resource persons for the session. Dr. Ravi Agrawal, a consultant psychiatrist at Manipal Hospital- Panjim, R.G Stone Hospital-Porvorim & V.M Salgaonkar Hospital-Vasco discussed in length the ‘Problems faced by adolescents’ while Mr. Samir Walavalkar, a psychotherapist, counsellor and leadership trainer shared with the students the essence of ‘Building resilience in Adolescents’. Dr Ravi Agarwal stressed on the vulnerability of young people to mental problems. He emphasized that enhancing resilience through cultivating the right attitude, learning life skills and indulging in a hobby would help in overcoming mental health problems among the youth.

Mr. Samir Walavalkar highlighted the fact that being aware of our problems was the key to enhance resilience in young people. According to him, negative emotions are harmful when we cannot control the intensity, frequency and duration with which we express these emotions. He also felt that the four tips such being aware of one ‘s feelings, accepting them, analyzing them and applying them appropriately were the key to healthy relationships.

The session was attended by an enthusiastic number of students. Asst Prof. Cedila Gomes and Ms. Shweta Matonkar, members of the Counselling Cell along with with Dr. Freda Cota e Pereira and Ms. Swiszel Fernandes were the faculty who also present for the session.